DOWNINGTOWN — The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Tuesday it is selling seven nursing homes and senior assisted living facilities, including St. Martha’s in Downingtown, for $145 million.

Archdiocese officials said that since the summer of 2012, they have been working to solve financial challenges. They said that a financial statement ending on June 30, 2012 disclosed a $39.2 million operating deficit.

“I did not arrive at this decision lightly,” Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said in a statement. “It came only after a great deal of consultation, discussion and prayer.”

The buyer is Center Management Group of Flushing, New York, which owns and operates 15 nursing homes in New York and New Jersey. The facilities will “continue to be operated in a Catholic, faith-based manner,” archdiocese officials said.

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Daily celebrations and Sunday Mass, for example, will continue under the new owner, officials said.

“There will be no perceptible change in operations for residents after closing of the transaction,” the archdiocese said in a statement.

The Chester County properties in the sale are Saint Martha Manor at 470 Manor Avenue in Downingtown, a nursing facility, and Villa Saint Martha at 490 Manor Avenue, a senior living, assisted and independent living facility. A spokesperson from St. Martha’s was not immediately available Tuesday for reaction to the sale.

According to Archdiocese officials, Center Management Group will retain all residents regardless of what insurance they have.

Center Management Group will enter an agreement to continue maintaining the presence of Roman Catholic priests as chaplains, the archdiocese added.

“Center Management Group has a great deal of experience in the operation of nursing homes and they’ve guaranteed the conditions I set forth some time ago in terms of fair treatment of current employees and residents,” Chaput said.

The seven properties, operated by the Catholic Health Care Services, were marketed for sale in August 2013.

“This agreement will serve the Archdiocese and its people well by ensuring the nursing homes presently operated by Catholic Health Care Services will continue to be dignified centers of care for the elderly in the Catholic tradition and in accord with the moral and ethical teachings of the Church,” Chaput said.

According to Chaput, Center Management Group was one of nearly 30 bidders.

Charles-Edouard Gros, chief executive officer of Center Management Group LLC, said in a statement that the interested parties held discussions for six months before the agreement. He said his company is looking forward to working with those who have staffed and managed the facilities to continue the adult medical day care programs and care retirement communities operated by the Catholic Health Care Services.

“We are enthusiastic about the future and grateful for Archbishop Chaput’s confidence in our ability,” Gros said. “The experience we bring to delivering premier healthcare to our residents, coupled with our commitment to safeguard and fortify the Catholic religious and ethical practices currently in place, will allow the facilities to continue flourishing.”

The other properties in the said are in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Services include adult day care, rehabilitation therapy, memory support, affordable housing, community support outreach and end-of-life-care programs, according to www.catholichealthcareservices.org. In total, there are 1,400 beds.

Archdiocese officials said that residents and family members of those who are affected by the sale will be informed by a letter detailing the transaction. The employees were informed on Tuesday that they will become employees of Center Management Group, with no other changes.

According to a news release, the following are the other facilities listed in the sale agreement to Center Management Group: Immaculate Mary Home, Saint Monica Manor and Saint John Neumann Home of Philadelphia; Saint Francis Country House of Darby in Delaware County; and Saint Mary Manor of Lansdale in Montgomery County.

The Catholic Health Care Services, founded in 1913, will continue to its mission by caring for senior citizens in the Philadelphia region.

About the Author

Ginger Rae Dunbar is the Daily Local News reporter covering events in the Downingtown area. She is a 2012 graduate from West Chester University. Reach the author at gdunbar@dailylocal.com
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